CHAPTER 18- The dance
“So, what are we doing today?”
Zoe answers. “I don’t really have a clue. I am still trying to wake up. The dance isn’t until six and so that means we have about four hours before we have to get ready. Are you going?”
Jay looks at me. “I don’t know, am I going?”
I laugh, “Yep, so that means you need a costume. So we are going shopping.”
Zoe lightens up. “Great. Something I actually want to do. What are you thinking?” She looks at me, clearly not looking for an answer from Jay.
“I’m not really sure, let’s go see what we can find.” I pick up my hot chocolate and toss the trash from my muffin. I wait for them to follow me.
In the end Jay is the one who picked his costume. He decided to dress as a girl. We found a large dress, not an easy feat, and a wig. “See simple and I don’t have anyone to look hot for anyway.” Jay beams at his choice.
“I still think we could have picked something better.” Zoe grumbles.
“Naw, this is perfect.” Jay counters. Taking his bag as we leave the store. It took us way too long to even come up with this costume so now we just have enough time to get ready. We all head to Zoe’s house to get ready.
While Zoe is changing in the bathroom, Jay asks me a question that I can tell he has been dying to ask. “Does Zoe know about any of this?”
“No, it’s not an easy thing to keep hidden either. Trust me you guys are the closest friends that I have and I hated lying to you guys all the time. When we get to my house tomorrow I’ll be able to explain more.” I put my hand on Jay’s shoulder. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but it will be alright.”
“It just feels like a brick has been slammed into my head and now my life makes no sense.”
“I can get that. I know I didn’t have the same thing happen because I was born this way. But I get how things can change like that.”
“Oh, really what in your life changed so dramatically.”
“Maybe not as dramatically, but my relationship with Hunter. For werewolves we have a thing called the mate bond. It is felt when you turn eighteen. You have no idea who it is with. When I found out it was Hunter I wanted to run for the hills. There is no going back on the mate bond. It is for life. I will never have another mate in my life. Can you imagine finding out that the person that you are supposed to be with is the same person that made you feel like shit for two years. And you don’t get a do over.” I give him a pointed look.
“He doesn’t seem like that now.” He kind of scoffs at my change.
“That is because he knows the same thing I do. We are meant to be together. Even if we didn’t see it at first. It was life changing. Right now you are opened up to a world that you didn’t know existed. It just means that you know more now then you did before. Your life isn’t over, just changed.” Before I can say anymore Zoe comes back in.
Jay looks her over in her Little Bo Peep costume and lets out a low whistle. “You look so hot.”
She gives a little curtsy. “Why thank you good sir.” She heads to the mirror to look at herself. “So, why is it whenever it is just the two of you, you both look like someone died?”
She starts fiddling with her hair. I have to come up with an answer quickly. “Jay is having some problems at home. He is going to come stay with me for a little while.” That almost sounds like a possible situation.
“Like what kind of problems?” She turns and looks at Jay with concern on her face. She doesn’t know anything about his family.
Jay decides to answer. “My parents just really aren’t getting me right now. I am eighteen. I think I just need some space from them.”
Zoe turns to me. “Your dad is ok with this. I mean he doesn’t even like us spending the night. Jay would be living there.”
“Yeah, I had to talk him into it. He has rules. But it will all be fine.” I wave it off like I have it under control. Now it is my turn to get my costume on. I am able to get it on a little faster than the first time. I put on the hood before heading back to the room.
When I come back in the room Jay looks me over. “Alright, I should have picked a better costume. How can I go with you two hotties, dressed as a girl?”
I give him a look to reassure him. “You will be fine. You get to dance with us both. So at least you don’t have to worry about that.”
Zoe laughs, “Speak for yourself. I am not dancing with a girl.” She playfully nudges Jay.
Jay throws his hands up in the air. “That’s it, I’m not going.” He throws himself back on the bed. Then I get an idea.
“Hey, Zoe, do you have any old white sheets?” I ask as I pull Jay up off the bed.
“I like where you are going with this. Let me get it.” Zoe runs out of the room.
Jay gets a scared look on his face. “What the hell is going through you twos minds?”
“It is a surprise. You will like it, don’t worry it is better than a girl.” I start pulling off Jay’s shirt. Thankfully he was already wearing basketball shorts that are perfect for my idea.
“I don’t think Hunter would like it so much if he saw you stripping me down.” He smiles at me.
“No he wouldn’t, so you are definitely not telling him that.” I toss his shirt to the side. Zoe comes back in with the sheet.
She starts waving her hand in front of her face. “Jay, I don’t know what it is about your bare chest, but it is hot.” She smiles at him. “Put your arms out.” Once he complies we are both moving around him wrapping him up in the sheet. Zoe holds the last piece while I go to her jewelry box and pull out an old broach that her grandmother gave her, pretty much it is gold leaves and some purple grapes. Not anything Zoe would wear but it is perfect for this. We pin it in place and step back to take a look.
There is Jay dressed in a toga. He looks just like a greek. “Better?” I ask as we are looking on.
He looks himself over and nods. “This will work. I am a little worried about it falling off though.”
Zoe gives him a wave. “Naw, don’t worry about that. If it does then we will just pin it back on. Besides the worst that will happen is some girl will get a good look at that gorgeous chest. You still have your shorts on. Not the end of the world.” She walks around him making sure that it is all pinned enough to look like a toga. “Yep, you look hot.”
“Ok, it pays to have girls for best friends.” He says as he looks in the mirror.
“See, I told you, you love me.” I smile at him.
We banter for a bit longer while Zoe does her makeup and hair. I go with a natural look. I keep my hair down and don’t wear makeup. Then we walk the five blocks to the school, with Zoe complaining the whole time.
“This is ridiculous. We should have gotten a ride.”
“We walk it all the time.” I point out.
“Yeah, what are you complaining about? I am wrapped in a sheet walking down the street.” Jay adds.
“You know I hate physical activity.” She points out.
“Well, it’s a good thing we are going to a dance then.” I scoff at her.
“That is different, it is fun.” She grumbles.
I can see the school up ahead and there on the street corner is Hunter. He sees us approaching and starts walking towards us. He is dressed in a suit. I have no idea what he is supposed to be but he looks good. I can see the hunger in his eyes as he watches me come closer. When we are close enough to touch he pulls me to him. “I missed you so much.” He buries his head in my shoulder. I don’t want to admit it but I missed him just as much. I think he can tell by the way I am clinging to him.
Zoe does one of these fake throat clearings, “We do have a dance we are trying to get to.” She starts pulling me towards the dance, with Hunter still clinging to me. Jay is just trailing behind us laughing. He can’t help but be amused by the sight of the three of us making our way down the street.
When we actually make it to the gym where they are holding the dance, our other friends are there waiting. I am a little surprised to see Evan there. I wonder who dragged him along. When I see Nick I am surprised to say the least. He is dressed up like a werewolf. Hunter sneers at the costume, I can see him look at my costume and then look at Nick as if connecting the dots. “It would seem picking double o seven was the wrong choice.” He grumbles.
I straighten his tie, “You look perfect.” planting a kiss on his lips he smiles into mine.
Once we are able to make it inside we all start dancing. Hunter still isn’t letting me go. I don’t mind but it is making the dancing more difficult. After about twenty minutes they play the first slow song. Nick asks Hunter to cut in. Hunter doesn’t like it but he lets Nick have the dance.
“So, I’m guessing you’re the big bad wolf.” I ask once we are on our own dancing.
“Yeah, it was supposed to be a cute matching costume thing, but then we broke up and well, I didn’t have the heart to change it.” He doesn’t look at me while he says it like he is embarrassed.
“See you are too good for me.” I smile at him. He looks at me with shock in his eyes.
“No one could be better for me than you.” Now, he is breaking my heart.
“Don’t say that.” I whisper back to him.
“I’m not going to lie to you.” He whispers back.
I pull away from him and go outside. I need air, the room feels like it is caving in on me. Standing out in the cold air all I can do is take deep breaths. After a few minutes Hunter joins me, he doesn’t just cling to me but gives me some space.
“I’m sorry this is so hard for you. It’s all my fault. If I was honest with my feelings from the start then you wouldn’t have to deal with this.” He whispers to me. He says it like it is his true feelings.
I turn around and grab him up in my arms. “Hunter, I love you.”
He holds me close to him, “I love you too.”
I kiss him, I need him to know that he is my world too. He returns the kiss pushing me up against the wall as he does. A growl emanates from his chest. “I have been away from you for too damn long.”
“I feel it too.” I moan against his lips.
He pulls away from me and looks over my costume again. “Just so you know you are keeping that costume.”
I chuckle at that. “What the hell am I going to do with this thing? There are not other dances like this.”
He growls again, “Because unlike that guy in there, I am the real big bad wolf. I can find many uses for this dress.” Hunter pulls the hood off my mark and kisses the spot. “I wish I was sleeping with you tonight. I understand but it doesn’t change what I want.”
“I will find a way to make it up to you.” I smile at him.
“Keep this costume that will be a start.” He gets that smirk that makes me want to melt.
“We better get back in there before they start looking for us.” I nod my head towards the gym.
“Let them look.” I give him the look and he grumbles. “Fine, let’s get in there.” He lets me off the wall.
I stop in my tracks before entering. I better tell him about Jay before we get back in there. “In case we don’t get another chance I have something to tell you.”
“What?” He sounds scared.
“Nothing like that. Jay was bit by a day walker. I have to bring him home with me tomorrow.”
He gets a thoughtful look. “I thought he smelled a little different. It must have been recent.”
“Yeah last weekend and she bailed on him and didn’t explain shit.”
“What a bitch. Your dad know?”
“Yeah, I called him earlier. He said he would have Carlos close by just in case.”
“Explains why I had a different driver.”
“I told him that I would tell you in person.”
“No problem, he’s the alpha he has to know first. Just call next time please.” He squeezes the arm that is around me. “You are still going to have time for me when you get back right?”
“Duh.” I squeeze back. We make it back in and there is another slow song playing. Hunter takes me into his arms and starts dancing with me.
“I have a surprise for you.” He smirks at me as he guides us more towards the center of the crowd.
“Oh, yeah what is that?” He spins me and when I come back around he is on one knee. Right there in the middle of everyone.
People have stopped and are looking at us. “Jasmine Blackwood, will you marry me?” He is making sure everyone can hear him.
I am standing there with my mouth hanging open, Finally I compose myself, “Yes.”
He pulls out a black box from his pocket and opens it to reveal the most perfect ring. It is a gold rose with a little diamond on one of the petals and two emeralds on the side that are shaped like leaves. He slides it on my left hand and it fits perfectly. He stands and grabs me up in a spin hug. Everyone around is clapping. It makes me feel important. Like one of those movie scenes. He plants a kiss on me as he sets me down. Then we are dancing again. Others watch for a moment. Then everything resumes.
Once people aren’t watching any more I ask, “where did you get this?”
“Carlos was a big help. He went into the store with me. He knew your ring size. He also said to make a show of giving it to you, and said your friends would talk about it for days.”
“Well, I certainly liked it. I love the ring.”
“That worried me the most. I picked it out. If you didn’t like it then it was all on me.” He leans his head on mine.
“It’s perfect.” I whisper to him.
“Then at least I did something right.” He whispers back.
“You do plenty right.” I give him a smile.
“As long as I can keep that smile on your face.” He kisses my cheek.
The song ends and everyone wants to see my ring. I am not even sure I know all these people. There are congratulations and wow so cutes. I am starting to hate the attention. Zoe finally chases them off, “Give my woman some air people.” She hollers over all them.
I hear some guy in the background holler out. “Thanks a lot Hunter, how the hell are any of us supposed to top that.” I don’t know who it is but they got a laugh for their efforts.
People start going back to their dance, giving me some space. Hunter is beaming. Giving me soft kisses and hugs. It is evident to everyone around us that we are in love. Nick seems to have vanished. I feel bad, but there isn’t anything more I can do. I dance the fast songs with my friends and slow songs with Hunter. Making tonight an amazing night.
At the end of the night, Hunter pulls me into the longest kisses of the night. Then he turns to Jay, “you better make sure they get back safe.”
“You know I will.” He must be cold in a sheet. Although the new vampire blood will make it not so bad.
Now Jay has a whole group of girls he’s with. He gets in the middle of the five of us and we make it the five blocks to Zoe’s. Zoe gripes again the whole way. Jay leaves us after I tell him I’ll call him in the morning to let him know when we are on the way there.
Once we get changed out of the costumes they all want to see the ring again. Carlos was right, it was all they wanted to talk about. Eventually we all pass out, on the floor.